Fifty International Six Metre crews have assembled at the Société Nautique de Genève on the eve of the 2026 Swiss National Championship, which begins Wednesday on Lake Geneva, Switzerland.
Like most of Europe currently, Geneva is experiencing a heatwave that has seen temperatures peak at 35C over recent days, making hats and sunscreen the order of the day for the Six Metre sailors preparing their boats.
Eight races are scheduled for the three-day event, which precedes the International Six Metre European Championships, taking place from Sunday, July 19 to Friday, July 24.
The 30-strong Classic entry list includes 15 Swiss crews as well as visiting yachts from Finland (1), France (3), Germany (5), Great Britain (3), Italy (1), and Spain (2).
Meanwhile, the 20-boat Open entry list is made up of 16 Swiss crews, along with yachts from Great Britain, Spain, Sweden, and the USA.
The International Six Metre Swiss Championship gets underway Wednesday, 15 July and runs through to Friday, 17 July.
The International Six Metre Class has managed to retain the heritage of international class racing in thoroughbred boats that don’t have to break the bank. Some 1225 Six Metre boats exist around the world today. Early Fife boats built in 1907 are still racing – often against new Moderns.
In recent years there has been a real resurgence of interest with many old boats being restored, new boats being built and some of the mega-stars of the sailing world choosing metre boats for their personal sailing.